The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for much of the Bay Area, warning of dangerous rip currents and sneaker waves that officials say should make visitors think twice before getting in the water. The warning comes just days after a dramatic weekend rescue at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, where a state lifeguard pulled a 10-year-old to safety after the child was caught in pounding surf. With dangerous conditions expected across the entire Bay Area coast on Tuesday, firefighters say the Santa Cruz incident is exactly the kind of situation they hope to prevent. At San Francisco’s Ocean Beach — an area already known for its dangerous surf — officials say the forecast could make an already unforgiving stretch of coastline even more hazardous. “We are urging caution to go out there,” San Francisco Fire Department spokesperson Samuel Menchaca said. “Don’t go out in the water, view from a distance if you can just due to some of those conditions being so intense right now.” Fire crews were out at Ocean Beach sharpening their beach rescue skills ahead of the forecasted hazards. “That way when the real thing comes they will be that much more prepared to execute that rescue,” Menchaca said. For visitors like Luis Gomez and Perla Hernandez, who are in town from Phoenix, the warning is enough to keep them on shore. “Especially because we have kids and we want nothing to happen to them,” Gomez said. “It’s dangerous and as a mother I would probably try to avoid a situation like that myself,” Hernandez added. As crews prepare for the possibility of water rescues, they are asking beachgoers to do their part by putting safety first. “Our number one tip that we always tell everyone… never turn your back on the ocean,” Menchaca said. The Beach Hazards Statement warns of rip currents and sneaker waves through Wednesday, and remains in effect through Saturday. Firefighters noted that even if visitors have no plans to swim, sneaker waves can rush much farther up the beach than people expect. Their advice: Enjoy the view from a safe distance, and if you don’t need to be near the water, consider staying away from the shoreline until conditions improve. ...read more read less